Views shared by several Ayurveda professionals and non-Ayurveda
people in discussion group:
Disclaimer:
All views shared here are only for knowledge. This
information doesn’t have any scientific validation. Various doctors
and non-medicos have shared their views and experiences in this discussion.
Please do not try any of the suggestions described here, without prior consult
from your regular, qualified doctor. Dr. Prerak Shah and no other person is responsible
for any unwanted effects, side effects or contra-indications in your health.
Thank you.
(Any ayurveda or medical doctor, If you like this activity, and
wants to be a part of this chat discussion on whatsapp, please send in your
request by email to admin@ayulink.com Thank you.)
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Next topic for discussion: Achara rasayana #Ayurveda
Dr Piyushbhai
Prajapati: Achar Rasayan mean anti aging
lifestyle protocol.
Croatia Branko
Markovic:
Social aspect:
Trustworthiness, honesty and love are
three pillars of social and behavioral aspects of Achara Rasayana. Be
trustworthy (SATYAVADI).Be honest to social and family relations (SATYAVADI). Avoid
alcohol and observe abstinence (NIVRUTTAM MADHYA MAITHUNATH) – Observe
abstinence. Respect old people, elders and teachers (DEVA-GAU-BRAHMANA ACHARYA
GURU VRUDDHA ARCHANARATAM)
Be devoted to love and avoid violence
(ANRUSHAMSAM)
Be merciful and compassionate (NITYA
KARUNAVEDI)
Do not have ego and live a life ego
free (ANAHANKRUTAM)
Serve old people, parents and wise
people (UPASITARAM VRUDDHANAM)
Have faith in almighty or ultimate
nature (ASTIKAANAM)
Have a control over mind and avoid
unnecessary sensory pleasures (JITAATMANAAM).
**********************************************
Ayulink offers Arthrothermia treatment for any kind of Joint/Ligament/Muscular disease.
***********************************************
Croatia Branko
Markovic:
Psychological aspect:
Be truthful (SATYAVADI)
Be calm (AKRODHI)
Avoid violence and prefer peace
(AHIMSAKA)
Be cheerful and happy (ANAYASA)
Stay calm, cool and quiet (PRASHANTA)
Speak good and pleasant, which will
not hurt others (PRIYAVADI)
Do meditation regularly or recite the
name of god or holy hymns (JAPA PARA)
Spiritual aspect:
Be duty bound and follow ethical
principles related to your jobs (DHARMASHASTRAPARAM).
Read good texts or books, which
provide peace to mind (ADHYATMA PRAVANENDRIYAM)
Practice meditation regularly
(TAPASWINAM)
Help needful people and do charity
where needed (DAANA NITYAM)
Gary Yuen: I understand not following such rules can
create negative emotions, stress and inflammation that can accelerate aging,
and cause derangement of doshas. though I do not know what texts say are the
harmful effects. Is it discussed somewhere?
Dr. Madhuri Patil
Chaudhari: Prajnaparadha sarva dosh prakopanaam.
Not following these achar rasayana
Leads to intellectual blasphemy which is cause of
Tridosh prakop.
Ch. Vi. 3 24 sutra has beautifully
described
How jwara came about.
So we can say
Achar Rasayan is a way to counteract
these Hetu or Vikaranam Praguttpatti bhav. Or the primordial reasons of
manifestation of diseases or Dukha of Sushrut in human beings.
Vd. Sachin
Kadlag: Each and every phrase mentioned in
""Aachara Rasayana ""
is very important and has deep meaning and has deep impact on our
physical , psychological , social and spiritual well being . I will try to
elaborate them one by one according to my understanding with the help of
Samhitas.
Aachara Rasayana mainly focuses on
Rasayana that is Rejuvenation of best /perfect Dhatus , at the same time it
focuses on physical , mental and
speaking manners whic are necesaary to
get full results of Rasayan medicine mainly . Even in other medicines it will
be definitely helpful.
One of the benefits of Rasayana is
"" Vaak-siddhi " , it means whatever you speak will become
true... such is the power of Rasayana . For this type of effects to acheive our
behaviour (Aacharan ) must be pure by Kaya (physical ) , Vachaa (by tongue ) and Manasa (by mind ).
Ayurveda has desribed 4 types of
" Ayu " (Charak sutrasthana 30
) , among that Hita Ayu is similar like
Aachara rasayana .
First Aachara Rasayana is "
Satyavadinam " .
In Charaka Sharira adhyaya 5 ,
Satya Vachan is given as to be one of
the factors for getting Moksha . It is said as
सत्यं सर्वभूतहितम् अपरुषम् अनतिकाले परीक्ष्य वचनम्।
which means our speaking should be not
only true but it should be beneficial to all living beings , it should not be
hard speaking , it should not be unnecessary at that time .
This is also mentioned in
"Sadvrutta " by Charaka.
In Ashtang Hrudaya it is mentioned it
Dinacharya as follows
काले हितं मितं ब्रूयाद् अविसंवादि पेशलम् |
In India "" Upawasa " or " Vrata " were done in past and are
still in practice today . But now a days it has lost its meaning and purpose .
Upawasa was utmost similara to Aachara
rasayana as Chakrapaani mentions
उपवासः कामक्रोधादिपरित्यागः सत्य आदि उपादानं च
and also .
उपावृत्तस्य पापेभ्यः सहवासो गुणेभ्यः हि यः|
उपवासः स ज्ञेयः उपवासः न शरीरस्य शोषणम् ||
which means Upawasa is going near of Good qualities like Satya -truth or staying with people of good qualities (we
can call it Satsanga also ) and staying away from Kama , Krodha etc.
Defination /Lakshana of Satya --
"" निवृत्तिः सुखम् इति यत् ज्ञानम् उत्पद्यते तत् सत्यम् । "" Charaka Sharira 5/8
To be retire from ecery desire is
happiness , come ton know this fact is Satyam (ultimate truth ) .
Charaka Sharira 2/46
""
नरो हिताहारविहारसेवी समीक्ष्यकारी विषयेषु असक्तः |
दाता समः *सत्यपरः*क्षमावान् आप्तोपसेवी च भवति अरोग: ||
Here also word
"Satyapara " ( means one who is always in favour of truth
) is mentioned as reason of disease free
life.
To learn Ayurveda from Guru , disciple
must be speaking Satya ... Charaka Vimana 8/13
Even in Janapada udhwansa (epidemic
burst of diseases ) primary treatment module is Panchakarma followed by
Rasayana and Shamana.
As such epidemic has its roots as Adharma ...
behavioural rules are given like Aachar rasayana which also starts from Satyam . Charak vimana 3/15-18
Dr. Madhuri Patil
Chaudhari: Taittriya Upanishad has beautiful
definition of Satya.
Satya is that which doesn't change as
per kaal or which is Sthir, not Gatimaan.
Opposite of Satya is Rutu, which is always moving and changing
as per Kaal.
Satya,
As per Ayurveda.
Ch Sh.5th
Satya buddhi gamya
Or that which is perceived by
SatyaBuddhi.
Which develops when one understands
Lok (Alokate avlokate iti lok: - which we observe and which is observing us)
and Purush are one and the same.
Vd. Sachin
Kadlag: In defination of Aapta ... it is said
that their each and every statement is Satyam without any doubt. Because they
are free from Raja and Tama , so how they will tell any Asatyam ,
that means being Satyavaadinam is
equivalent to be like free from Raja and Tama which are Doshas of Mana
Vd. Sachin
Kadlag: Brief compilation of ""
Krodha /anger " , its properties as mentioned in Charaka Samhita.
KRODHA [ANGER]
·
ITS LISTED IN DHAARANIYA VEGA .
·
KRODHA /ANGER CAN BE KNOWN BY ANUMAAN PRAMANA BY UNDERSTANDING THE TENDANCY
OF A PERSON TO HURT OTHERS.
·
PERSON WHO IS ANGRY SHOULD NOT DO PHYSICAL EXERCISE.
·
ITS RESULT OF PRADNYAAPARADHA AND PRADNYAPARDHA IS AGAIN RESULT OF KARMA
DONE DUE TO ANGER .
·
ITS ONE OF THE MANASA MITHYAYOGA.
·
ITS FUNCTION OF KUPITA [VITIATED ]PITTA
MAINLY OF KUPITA SAADHAK PITTA WHICH STAYS IN HEART.
·
ITS MENTIONED IN PARIHAARA AFTER MANY KARMAS LIKE AFTER SNEHAPAANA , VAMANA
.
·
ITS ONE OF THE TYPE OF ANAGNI SWEDA.
That means it can induce sweating
without direct heat .
·
IT IS ONE OF THE CAUSE OF FOLLOWING
DISEASES. PITTAJ SHIROROGA , PITTAJA
HRUDROGA , ATIKARSHYA , NIDRANAASHA , SHONITA DUSHTI , PITTAJA JWARA,
PITTAJA PRAMEHA , KSHAYAJA RAJAYAKSHMAA ,UNMAADA, APASMAAR , AAMA
PRADOSHA/AJIRNA , ADHARMA RESULTING INTO EPIDEMIC DISEASES , SWEDAVAHA SROTASA
DUSHTI , GARBHA PATA [ PUSHPA DARSHANA ] AFTER FIRST TRIMESTER , INTRAUTERINE
DEATH , KRODHAJ/BHOOTA-ABHISHANGAJA JWARA, PITTAJA GULMA , PITTAJA ARSHA ,
PANDU, PITTAJA KASA , PITTAJA ATISAARA,
TRUSHNA , PRATISHYAYA , AROCHAKA , VAATVYADHI , VAATRAKTA, SHUKRA DUSHTI
, KSHAYJA KLAIBYA , STANYA DUSHTI
·
THOSE WHO ARE EXHAUSTED DUE TO ANGER , SLEEPING IN DAY TIME IS INDICATED
FOR THEM.
·
IT IS CAUSE AS WELL AS SYMPTOM OF RAKTA DUSHTI.
·
IT IS ONE OF THE SYMPTOM OF PITTJA MADA , PITTAJA UNMAADA , RAJA AND TAMO DUSHTI, MATSYA KAYA , SAHAJA [
CONGENITAL ] ARSHA, PITTAJA MADATYAYA ,
AROCHAKA DUE TO UNPLEASENT FOOD AND SMELL
·
IN GARBHA , IT IS SAID TO BE SATVAJA BHAVA.
·
IT IS ALSO ONE OF THE ARISHTA LAKSHANA IN UNMAADA .
·
ACTION ON DIFFERENT SHARIRA BHAVA
·
VATA – PRAKOPA , PITTA- PRAKOPA , MANSA- SHAITHILYA, SANDHI – VIMUNCHAANA
, RAKTA – VIDAHA , ASTHI – NON FORMATION
OF MAJJA IN ASTHI , SHUKRA – APRAVARTANA , OJA – KSHAYA , SMRUTI AND BUDDHI –
NASHTATA
·
KRODHA IS SYNONYM OF JWARA AD RAJAYAKSHMA AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRST PHYSICAL DISEASE
WHICH IS JWARA AS WELL AS RAJAYAKSHMA AS EXPLAINED IN PRAG-UTPATTI .
·
IT IS APATHYA IN NAVA JWARA, VISARPA , VISHA [POISON] , VRANA ,
·
LANGHANA IS NOT TO BE GIVEN KRODHAJA JWARA.
·
KAAMA IS REMEDY FOR KRODHAJA JWARA WHILE KRODHA IS REMEDY FOR KAMAJA JWARA .
·
SIMILAR PRINCIPLE APPLIES IN RESPECTIVE UNMAADA .
·
OTHER REMEDIED FOR KRODHAJA JWARA ARE –
GIVING ASSURANCE , TO GET WHAT IS
DESIRED , SHAMANA OF VAYU , CELEBRATION AND ENJOYING , AND PITTAHARA TREATMET
MODULE .
·
UDVEGA OF KRODHA [ SUDDEN ANGER BURST ] CAN BE A TREATMENT OF HIKKA [
HICCUP] IN VEGA-AVASTHA.
·
MADYA [ ALCOHOL] IS ALSO AASHRAYA [SOURCE]
OF ANGER. IF KRODHA IS GENERATED AFTER DRIIKING ALCOHOL IT IS TYPE OF
TAAMASA MADYAPAANA. MADYA VEGA IS MORE SEVERE AND FAST IN ANGRY PERSONS.
·
ANGER IS ONE OF THE REASONS FOR NON-HEALING OF WOUNDS AND ALSO FOR COMPLICATIONS
IN WOUNDS.
This was second regarding Aachara rasayana [Akrodha -- non
anger ]
3rd is to retire from madya /alcohol.
Regarding to this there is one very good shloka from Ashtanga Hrudaya
मद्य दान आदान विक्रयः सन्धानानि न आचरेत् |
which means Alcohol neither should be
taken from anyone nor should be given to anyone . It should not be sold
it should not be even
manufactuered.
Gary Yuen: It's said that tapas is part of achara though
I do not know where it's said. I'm not sure exactly what is the meaning. Tapas
is supposed to be the main feature of satya/kritya yuga.
Vd. Sachin
Kadlag: Charaka Vimana 3 / 24
आदिकाले हि अदितिसुतम्....... सत्य-आर्जव -आनृशंस्य -दान-दम-नियम - *तप*-उपवास -ब्रह्मचर्य व्रतपरा व्यपगतभयरागद्वेषमोहलोभक्रोधशोकमानरोगनिद्रातन्द्राश्रमक्लमालस्यपरिग्रहाश्च पुरुषाबभूवामितायुषः.......।
Gary Yuen: I am familiar with that verse though still i
do know know how to define tapas.
Dr. Madhuri Patil
Chaudhari: Tap means to be Tapta. Tap means
something like expansion that happens due to
heat.
Tap are the actions that produce heat
in body or in short
Actions that increase the Agni.
Like Suryataapi shilajit.
Here Shilajit is getting Tapta due to
energies from Sun.
So Actions that infuse energies esp. Increasing
the Ushna gun in body and fire of Satva gun,
in the mind
Can be said to be Tap.
Jap
Tap
Upvaas
Aatap sevan(soaking in Sun rays)
Vaayu sevan (being with blowing wind)
These are kind of
Daivavyapashraya And all are Langhan
chikitsa. Opposite of Bruhan, or
Atyadanat or receiving too much, primordial
reason of disorders in humans. It's is said in Veda Brahma did Tap. And
expansion due to Tap Created this matrrix in Which universe exists. And it
expands contracts as per Tap.
Vd. Sachin
Kadlag: ........महर्षयः ....... तपसः तेजसा दीप्ता हूयमाना इव अग्नयः । Charaka sutrasthana 1/14
It means Ayurveda Maha Rushis were like enlightened like burning
fire due to effect of Teja of Tapas ....
Like Satvam Prakashaka (सत्वं प्रकाशकः )
Vd. Dhruti
Kagrana: Achar rasayana
1. Satya vadinah – truthfulness
According to the ancient text of
Upanishad, truth is the following:
satyameva jayate nānṛtaṁsatyena panthā
vitato devayānaḥ|
yenākramantyṛṣayo hyāptakāmāyatra tat
satyasya paramaṁ nidhānam ||
Truth alone triumphs.Through
truth, the divine path is spread out by whichthe sages whose desires have been
completely fulfilled,reach where that supreme treasure of truth
resides. As the saying goes, “Once you tell a lie, you need ten more lies
to cover the lie; so just tell one time the truth.” The integral connection of
mind and body is now fully embraced by the modern science. The physiological
changes in the body due to stress created in the mind by not being true to
“self” or others can be a self-destructive act. When we weave through life, we
tend to create an identity which may be accepting to our external reality but
that may be far from our true identity. The inner reality is often conflicted
with the “face” we have created in the world. We do this because we feel
insecure or we don’t like that part of self or we feel too vulnerable to be
“naked.” The veil we have will be exposed at some point because it is
unsustainable to live in duality. This creates enormous amount of stress in the
nervous system. As my Kundalini Yoga teacher says, “May our actions and deeds,
feelings and emotions be a true reflection of our pure soul.” When we live life
without being untrue to our self and others, the physiological response from
stress in the body is the main cause of many diseases in the modern world. When
we live in truth, our body finds its harmony and balance of our self, which
then help heal our underlying imbalances. Let us work on ourselves so that we
can heal us to the truth.”
2. Akro dhinah – do not be angry
Anger creates a rush of blood, which
then raises the blood pressure as well as the heart rate. Stress triggered by
anger disturbs the harmony of the physiological environment of the body.
This can make the weaker tissues and organs in the body vulnerable, which then
get exposed to being susceptible to disease. Being reflective is better
than being reactive. Anger does not bring peach and tranquility to the mind,
which is key to health and healing. Anger raises Pitta in the body, which
disturbs the balance of metabolic system in the cellular level.
3. Madya Nivrati – do not indulge in
alcoholic drinks.
Ayurveda considers alcohol as
an ojas“life essence or immunity” depleting substance. It has been
considered across the board, both in modern and ancient medicine, as a toxic
substance to our body and mind. The liver and kidneys have to take the brunt to
clean it out from the system in order to maintain a healthy functioning of
those vital organs. Besides, alcohol can raise the Pitta, or fire, in the body,
which can be contraindicated for people with aggravated Pitta conditions. The
raised temperature and heat in the body can be harmful to many skin conditions,
such as eczema, and can affect the liver, kidneys, and heart health. Our body
finds its natural rhythm and starts to heal itself when we do not abuse alcohol
and drugs.
4. Maithuna Nivrati – observe celibacy
and the sexual act according to the code.
Celibacy here does not mean
“Brahmacharya” or observing abstinence for life. The idea is to be active with
one partner, not multiple partners, and perform the sexual act based on the
season, time of day, and emotion of both partners. According to the texts in
Ayurveda, it is best to perform sex once a week, or no more than twice a week,
depending upon the constitution of both partners. The life essence or “Ojas” is
lost every time men ejaculate and women orgasm, although it is less for women.
Ojas is our immunity, which helps us against the disease. Therefore, it is best
to be involved in a sexual activity when both partners are well nourished and
in good health. The desire for sex and the process should be more
meditative than just releasing the pressure of stress from day to day lives. Only
then it could be more pleasurable and blissful experience in the long run.
5. Ahimsa – non-violence
Kaya – physical non-violence
(not harming self and others physically)
Vacha – pleasant speech or non-violent
communication
Manana – mental non-violence (with
thoughts and feelings)
Violent minds create violent bodies
and a violent environment. When the body is not settled in peace and
tranquility, healing is not possible. Our body goes through a constant process
of healing when we sleep, rest or relax, meditate, exercise, and so on. New
cells are developed while old cells die off and are shredded out of the system.
Every breath we take brings in new life and takes out the junk. The process of
filtration of our body and mind is happening every moment with our involuntary
act of inhalation and exhalation. The lymphatic system is constantly processing
out toxins while the digestive system is doing its part in getting rid of
things we no longer need in our body. For all of these processes to happen
simultaneously, we do need to have a stable non-violent body and mind.
Violence affects the nature of neutral mind and relaxed nature of
body. The attitude of nonviolence (Ahimsa), sometimes called reverence for
life, is at the root of life-nourishing behavior (Chopra, Ageless Body,
Timeless Mind, 263).
6. Anayasaka – avoid overexertion.
It is not recommended to over exert
because it aggravates Vata, which is the air quality of our body
physiology. Ayurveda says to exercise to fifty percent of your maximum
capacity. If you are pushing yourself to win the game or to prove that you
can keep up with someone else, your attitude is needlessly punishing your body
(Chopra, 263).
7. Prashantam – be calm and peaceful
in mind.
The body heals itself when the mind is
tranquil and is not in a state of emergency. We can gain clarity about our
actions and deeds so we can make better choices each and every moment. To
listen to our own deepest nature and make correct choices in life, it is
crucial to have a sense of stillness and peaceful mind. Calm and quiet mind
make precise choices, which benefits not only to a doer but also to
others. Meditative mind is a neutral mind, which is Sattivic, the impulse
to evolve, to go forward, to progress. Some forms of meditation instruct the
practitioner to become mindful of thoughts, feelings, and sensations and to
observe them in a nonjudgmental way. This practice is believed to result in a
state of greater calmness and physical relaxation, and psychological balance.
Practicing meditation can change how a person relates to the flow of emotions
and thoughts. There is increasing recognition of mindfulness and mindfulness
training as a way to decrease stress and increase psychological functioning.
8. Priya vadinah – do not hurt others
with your speech. Speak pleasantly.
Do no harm is the core principle of
every medicine practices. Physical, emotional or verbal abuse is to be avoided
to live in harmony with our self and others. Words have consequences; once said
it cannot be taken back. Our intention should reflect the true essence of our
character. We can offer healing and comfort just by speaking pleasantly.
9. Japa para – remember always the
creator of the Universe (God).
Having connection with the creator
develops focused mind and cultivates centeredness and grounding. Divine creator
could be nature, river, ocean, or a statue depending upon one’s faith and
belief system. Whatever it may be, spiritual connection with the creator makes
us a conscious being. This will help us take right choices and actions in life
for our health and well-being. Individual consciousness “Atman” is part
of the universal consciousness “Brahman. We are not separate from god, nor we
are separate from one another. The felling of oneness cultivates love,
compassion, and empathy in our lives. Life becomes much richer and fuller if we
recognize the beauty in all things. The concept of “me” — or the self-centered
nature of modern society — is one of the epidemics of imbalanced lifestyle.
Meditation and yoga can bridge that gap of separation.
10. Soucha Para – Purity
Personal hygiene and cleanliness are
major indicators of one’s good health.
Impurities on both internal and
external body clog up the channels or tissues in our body that is key to
healthy metabolism. External source of germs like bacteria and viruses
can be avoided to enter into our body if we stay clean and pure. Neat and clean
people are often healthier and happier people.
11. Dheera – Patience
When there’s victory of mind, then
there’s victory in life. Being courageous for good purpose mean giving up those
habits that no longer serve us and implementing those that benefits for our
overall well-being.
12. Dana – Charity
Accumulation of things we do not need
or over consumption creates not just the physical clutter in the space we live
in but it reflects the lack of clarity in mind. We keep what we need just
like we do things that uplifts our spirit. Donating things or money helps make
us align with what Gandhi once said, “simple living higher thinking.” The
blessings and grace from giving is priceless which opens up the heart of
selfless service. Selfless service is selfless living. We are not only here to
consume and be wealthy. The joy of living for others is a true healing in it.
13. Tapaswin – Austerity
Human civilization has gone through
thick and thins in terms of religious conflicts. A garden has many flowers with
different smells and colors but they are always living in perfect harmony with
one another. No one religion or a belief system is ideal for all. In this multi
racial, multi ethnic society, every religious view has its own essence and
pitfalls. The best way to weave through life is to understanding one’s own
belief and living in virtue. Imposing one’s own religious views and beliefs on
others can be self-destructive. But rather how can we make a difference by
doing virtuous acts based on our own belief system? People like Mahatma Gandhi,
Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, and Dalai Lama followed their own spiritual
guidelines and made a lasting impact on others of many faith and religion.
14. Samadara – Be respectful
Knowledge and wisdom are acquired from
parents, teachers, elders and gurus. No one is born enlightened or has attained
self-mastery. There is always a training or teaching involved in one’s
evolutionary process. We are who we are partly because of their guidance
and teachings. We are influenced by their vision and the insight. Giving
respect to peers and elders are a common decency of a healthy society. Our
teachers and sages have gone through the discipline required to gain that
knowledge and wisdom. To respect their journey and the process is to respect
our own existence.
15. Anrashamsya – do not be cruel to
anyone.
Cruelty breeds hatred; makes our heart
and mind unsettled. If we were to live in harmony with nature and our true
essence is unconditional love, why would we then be cruel to anyone may that be
animals, birds or fellow humans? There should not be mental satisfaction in
being cruel; but the joy of being kind and generous spreads around as inwhat
goes around comes around. What goes around comes around. If we want to be loved
and cared for, we can reciprocate by being kind to others.
16. Nitya karuna vedinah – be merciful
to all who are in need of help
The poor, sick, and the vulnerable
always need a hand to uplift them in society. Self-centered people often have
fewer friends and few good neighbors. Human beings have the capacity to
rise to the occasion and give to those in need. Sympathy and empathy are
essential in one’s own evolutionary process.
17. Sama Jagrana – swapna –
Maintain balance in waking and sleeping. Do not stay up long into the night and
do not sleep in the daytime.
According to Ayurveda, different
organs of our body are active at different times of day and night. For example,
liver is active between 12-2 am in the morning while small intestine is active
between 12-2 pm in the day. For the optimum function and health of these
organs, we should be in a restful state of sleep during the time when liver is
processing the toxins and should be awake during the day when small intestine
is actively digesting foods. If we are awake in the middle of the night, the
organs, which are active during that time, could not do its job in effectively.
18. Nitya ksheer ghritashinah – Take
milk and ghee in moderation in your diet.
Warm milk is easy to digest yet
grounding in quality. Milk nourishes the deepest tissues and tones the body.
The sedative quality of milk when used with a pinch of nutmeg is often
recommended for people with insomnia. Ghee or clarified butter lubricates the
tissues and nourishes the body. It is the only dairy product considered to be
good for people with high cholesterol. It raises the healthy cholesterol (HDL)
while maintaining the bad cholesterol (LDL) and not raising it when consumed in
moderation.
Ghee enhances Ojas, the subtle essence
of all tissues. It increases all agnis, all digestive energies and enzymes of
the body. It promotes jatharagni, the digestive fire dwelling in the small
intestine. It promotes the bhutagnis, the elemental fires which dwell in the
liver and govern transformation of food in the body. It does not clog the
liver, as do other oils and fats, but strengthens it (Lad, Vasant, Frawley,
David. 84).
19. Desha-Kala-pramanagya – be a
knower of place, time, and measures of activities.
Our body takes time to adapt to a new
climate and weather conditions. The diet and lifestyle of India may not
be compatible in Northern California and vice versa. Damp and cold mornings of
the Bay Area during summer call for warm cooked foods like oatmeal or warm
cereals versus the hot sweaty mornings of Bombay calling for cooling and
lighter foods regardless of your body type. When we live in harmony with nature
and the season, we experience greater health of body, mind and spirit.
20. Yuktigya – Plan ahead to achieve
your goals.
It is said that “failing to plan is
planning to fall” in your life. Without a clear path, there is no destination.
Similarly, without plans, it is difficult to reach the objectives. Tools like
meditation and yoga help to gain clarity so we can plan our future effectively.
Without a clear plan of action, life can be overwhelming and challenging.
21. Anahamkari – avoid super egotism
Breaking the ego is the best possible
practice in the modern day world. We are driven by ego, but not by our heart.
When body, mind, and soul are aligned, ego is shaken up and crushed,
manifesting the best deeds and actions from one’s soul. The onset of
disease processes is intimately connected to a deficiency of ego gratification.
What are these deficiencies? They are quite common things: lack of feeling
important, lack of appreciation, lack of approval and encouragement, lack of
love (Chopra, Creating Health, 118).
22. Shastachara – maintain good
behavior established by Apta – the
great sages and saints of society.
The good behavior established by sages
is the bi-product of their discipline set through their experiences of the ups
and downs of ever changing life. These can be guiding principles for our own
personal journey through life.
23. Asamkiran –be generous and sharing
Giving is receiving; the more we give,
the more we receive. Being generous doesn’t mean giving everything away or renunciation.
Sharing cultivates caring of others and in turn, caring for yourself.
Generosity creates harmony with family and friends, neighbors and co-workers.
24. Addhyatma Parayanam – be conscious
No matter how small an act is, if we
are engaged with pure consciousness, we achieve the highest outcome. A
conscious mind is a pure mind or a Sattvic mind. Sattva is the impulse to
evolve, to go forward, to progress. Increases in mindfulness were found to
mediate the relationships between formal mindfulness practice and improvements
in psychological functioning, suggesting that the practice of mindfulness
meditation leads to increases in mindfulness, which in turn leads to symptom
reduction and improved well-being (Journal of Behavioral Medicine. Web. 23 Jul.,
2011)
25. Upasitarah vriddhanam – respect
and serve your elders.
Elders have showered us with so many
blessings – giving birth, raising us, giving us knowledge and wisdom in order
to weave through life with the utmost grace. They do not just earn our honor
and respect but we are who we are because of them. Serving them is serving your
own soul.
26. Upasitarah Astikanam – respect and
serve priests, sages, and saints
who serve your religion and God.
They are priests, sages, and saints
because they have lived their life with moral excellence. We can learn much
from their path of righteousness. One way to learn that goodness is to serve
them or have respect for their path of excellence.
27. Upasitarah Jitatmanam – respect
and serve the people who have
conquered their senses (masters of
desires).
We are pulled in so many directions
because of our desires to be healthy, wealthy, and powerful. Our senses cause
desire. Healthy desires are good for overall wellbeing, however, we are often
engaged in unhealthy desires such as excessive sex, unethical or fraudulent
ways of making money and hurting others to satisfy one’s own desires. People
who have conquered their senses have conquered their own existence. Serving
them can bring great insight into how to live without being ruled by our
senses.
28. Dharma Para – keep yourself busy
in religious activities.
Whatever your belief system or your
religion may be, it is utterly important to have devotion and faith in your
practice. A focused and devoted mind can conquer any obstacle in life with
utter grace. Having engaged in religious activities gives us a meditative mind,
which has clarity and precision.
29. Shastra para – continually study
new sciences, advances, research,
and philosophies and utilize them for
the benefit of all human beings.
Ayurveda, the science of life, has
been around for more than 5000 years, however it has been changing throughout
time. The inventions and breakthroughs in technology and medicine have ushered
in amazing progress in science over the last 50 years. It is important to have
an understanding of all practices including holistic and modern sciences to
maintain the health of a healthy person and treat the diseased. When we put our
heart and mind into combining all practices, new advances, and research in
treating the root cause of an imbalance – an evolution of a healthy society
will not be a distant dream. Albert Einstein once said, “The most
beautiful and profound emotion we can experience is the sensation of the
mystical. It is the power of all true science.”
-------------------------------.
Compiled by - Dr. Dhruti Kagrana
Compiled by - Dr. Dhruti Kagrana
No comments:
Post a Comment